Succession, Media Conglomerates, and Democracy.
Succession, Media Conglomerates, and Democracy Hello Blog, I was deeply inspired to write this piece after finishing HBO’s Succession . While at first glance the show might seem to focus on four siblings vying for their father’s approval and control over the family business, the series actually offers a profound critique of media conglomerates and their influence on shaping not just national but global narratives. Succession reflects a theme central to Noam Chomsky’s work on media and public opinion. For those unfamiliar, Chomsky’s arguments—particularly in his book Media Control: The Spectacular Achievements of Propaganda —explore how the public forms opinions about their country’s welfare. Are these opinions shaped by independent, well-reasoned thought, or are they influenced by the media's carefully curated narratives? Chomsky’s key argument is that the media plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. Every headline, every story, every news segm...